Kingpin commissions Melbourne artists to bring the local landscape indoors

Collaborative Brilliance: 7+ Artists, 15+ Murals

Beyond the iconic Dame Edna mural (check out the previous blog here), Kingpin’s interior and exterior host an exhibition of over 15 large-scale murals crafted by seven street-art luminaries. Co-curated by Juddy Roller, the lineup includes:

• Adnate - His hyper-realistic portraiture, including the Dame Edna exterior, blends emotional depth with photorealism. 
• Sofles - Known for mind-bending compositions, he adds visual complexity with layered motifs. 
• Nense - Merges futurism and abstract art into dynamic, bold murals.
• Rosie Woods - UK-born, Melbourne-based artist whose geometric abstractions fuse realism with clean lines.
• Lauren YS - US-based, she contributes dreamlike, mythology-inspired imagery.
• Jay Kaes - Spanish-born designer of vibrant glitch-pop visuals.
• Ellen Porteus - A local artist with cartoon-inflected maximalist flair. 

These works span the venue from the laneway entrance to the lower-ground entertainment spaces, creating a curated gallery within a historic arcade.

Crafting a Nightlife Statement

The murals aren’t just decoration; they’re woven into the vision to redefine Melbourne’s social scene. Inside, the art continues to echo the same high-energy city aesthetic: immersive, playful, and evocative.

• Championing local talent: Kingpin is giving street artists a permanent, high-visibility canvas curated by Juddy Roller, one of Melbourne’s premier urban art collectives.
• Cultural crossover: The use of Dame Edna as a muse nods to Melbourne’s blend of humour, theatricality, and identity.
• Art meets play: With murals seamlessly wrapping around entertainment zones, the venue blurs the lines between art gallery and playground.

Visiting Guide

• Where: Dame Edna Place, near Little Collins and Collins Streets, Melbourne CBD. Then enter the venue and explore the art within, from the arcade to the bar, activities, and even staircases.
• What to see:
  • The majestic Dame Edna mural (by Adnate).
  • 15+ murals ranging from abstract, surreal, realistic, and pop-inspired—crafted by seven celebrated artists.
• Experience tip: Arrive early to catch daytime lighting and vibrant colour, or after dark, when neon and bar lighting animate the artworks.